Harvester



M. H. KIMBALL HARVES TER Filed July 20, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.M40: ra/v H M143 4; BY

ATTORNEY y H, 148. M. H. KIMBALL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 20. 1945INVENTOR. M405 my 1 /\7M84LL BY a "A I ATTORA/E Y Patented May 11, 1948HARVESTER Marston 'H. Kimball, of one-fourth to Calif.

Alhambra, CaliL, assignor Earl Maharg,

Los Angeles,

Application July 20, 1945, Serial No. 606,153

This invention has to do with a crop harvester and is more particularlyconcerned with a machine for gathering objects from the ground, it beinga general object of the invention to provide a simple, practical,effective mechanism for gathering objects from the ground without resortto manual labor such as is now ordinarily required for such operation.

There are various situations where objects have to be gathered from theground. For example, the usual method of harvesting or gathering walnutsis to shake the nuts from the trees so that they are on the ground andthen gather them from the ground by hand. In the average or well caredfor grove the ground beneath the trees is usually dry and we'll brokenup or worked and is, generally, free of clods. Because oftheusu'al'condition of the ground the nuts dropping from the trees oftenembed themselves somewhat in the ground and thus present a seriousproblem for mechanical gathering devices, all with the result that theyare commonly or almost universally gathered from the ground by hand. Inmany instances cloths are spread on the ground to catch the nuts fallingfrom 'the trees but this method is not altogether satisfactory as it isslow and cumbersome as it involves manipulation of large cloths.

It is a general object of my present invention to provide a harvestingor gathering machine which will operate to efiectively gather objects,such as walnuts that have been shaken from trees, from the ground eventhough they may be partially embedded in the ground. A feature of myinvention is the provision of means whereby nuts or objects that have 1become partially embedded in the ground are initially thrust to thesurface and put in position to be effectively gathered for deposit on aconveyor, or the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanism involving fewsimple parts which initially positions the objects at the ground andthen engages the objects to elevate them for deposit on a conveyor beltor other handling mechanism.

It is another object of my present invention to provide a simple,efiective and practical combination of elements for propelling andelevating objects engaged at the ground so that they are deposited in areceptacle or on a conveyor. or the like, without danger-of crushing orinjuring them in any way.

The various objects and tion will be fully features or myinvenunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred form gagement with the soil, receive and elevate objects 10Claims. (0!. 55-17) and application of the invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a unit of apparatus embodying themechanism that I have provided;

Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated byline 2-2 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated byline 3-3 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view through the principalelements provided by the present invention illustrating the manner inwhich objects such as nuts are positioned at the surface of the groundand then propelled and guided to a suitable conveyor;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a part of the propeller employed toengage the objects; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of parts or the mechanism showing.generally, the relationship of the soil engaging member or litter andthe elevating fingers.

The mechanism that I have provided can be used on or in connection withvarious other units of equipment or, in other words, it can'be used invarious manners. However, in general I prefer to employ it in connectionwith a power driven vehicle such as a tractor and to use it inconnection with a storage means such as a wheeled vehicle having abox-like body, or the like. In the drawings I have shown a typicalapplication of the invention and have. there shown a proplling vehiclein the form ofv a tractor A, and I have shOWn the pick-up mechanism Bsupported by the tractor to be ahead of the tractor and to be advancedthereby. In addition I have shown a crop carrier or vehicle C connectedto the rear of the tractor A to be drawn thereby, which vehicle includesa box-like body ill with suitable supporting wheels II. The tractorillustrated is of the track-laying type, but in practice it can be anysuitable type of tractor or propelling vehicle.

The pick-up mechanism B provided by my invention involves, generally. alifter i 2 disposed transversely of the path of the apparatus inenelevating fingers it to gathered from the soil, and a. propeller Hi. Imay further provide a transverse conveyor ii to receive objects from thepick-up and advance them transversely of the machine and a longitudinalconveyor It to receive objects from the conveyor is so that they arecarried rearwardly past the tractor A to the body [0 of carrier C.

The pick-up B includes various means or elements besides the lifter l2,fingers l3 and propeller H. For example, it includes a drive 8 for thelifter, mounting means IQ for the fingers l3, a drive 20 for thepropeller [4, a frame 2|, and various other features of construction allof which will be described.

The frame 2! may, in practice, be varied widely depending upon thedetails employedin connection with the other elements. In the caseillustrated the frame involves two main side rails 22 that are attachedto the tractor A at points well above the ground and which projecthorizontally forward from the tractor to project a substantial distanceahead of the tractor, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. A verticalpost 23 depends from each rail 22 to a point at or close to the normalsurface S of the ground and a horizontal arm 24 projects forward fromthe lower end of each post. The arms 24 being below the forward endportions of the rails 22 are spaced a substantial distance apart or areat the sides of the mechanism and are shaped and proportioned to supportthe various principal working parts of the mechanism in the desiredcooperative relationship.

The lifter I2 is an elongate member in the form of a bar, preferablysquare in cross-sectional configuration, and is rotatably supported toextend across the path of movement of the machine in engagement with theground over which the machine operates. The bar is supported to operatejust beneath the normal surface S of the ground, say at a depth of aboutan inch or two below the surface of the ground, and it is preferably arod about seven-eighths of an inch square. The bar is forced through theground or surface soil as the machine advances and as it is thus movedthrough the soil it is rotated on its axis in a direction opposite tothat in which the advance occurs or so that its forward or advancingside moves upwardly, as indicated by In practice the lifter bar may besupported in any suitable manner. In the case illustrated the bar isrotatably supported at each end by suitable bearing blocks 30 which holdthe rod and are rotatably supported in the forward end portions of theframe arms 24.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention the main rails.22 of the frame 2| are supported so that the forward end portion of theframe can be adjusted somewhat vertically and it is through thisadjustment that the depth of the lifter bar in the ground can be variedas circumstances require. In the case illustrated frame supportingwheels 32 are adjustably supported by legs 33 depending from the rails22 at points behind or rearward of the posts 23. In practice anysuitable means may be provided for adjusting the legs 33 vertically, forinstance, they may be screw threaded and carried in rotatable sleeves 34adapted to be operated by a suitable crank 35. The wheels 32 are carriedon a shaft 36 so that the shaft turns with the wheels.

The drive l8 provided for rotating the lifter baras it advances throughthe soil may, in practice, be any suitable drive arrangement forapplying power to the bar to rotate it at the desired speed and in theproper direction. In the case illustrated a chain drive 3! is shownprovided between the wheel shaft 36 and a counter-shaft 38. A shaft 39couples the counter-shaft 38 with the lifter rod through suitableuniversal joints 39 The mechanism just described operates so that as themachine advances the lifter bar I2 is forced or pushed through the topsoil just below the normal level of the soil and as it advances thearrow X in Fig. 4.

it is rotated so its advancing side moves upwardly with the result thatit operat to form a small mound of dirt or soil M above and slightlyahead of it and the soil in this mound is moved or worked so that anyobject in it such as a nut that may have been embedded in it to anydegree by falling from the tree is moved or worked up so that it finallyrests on the top of the soil or is at the top of the mound in theposition of the nut N in Fig. 4.

The elevating fingers l3 are spaced parallel fingers extending in thedirection of movement of the machine or in a direction at right anglesto the lifter bar 12 and the several fingers are uniform in size, shapeand disposition. The fingers may vary somewhat in practice dependingupon circumstances. However, in a simple form each bar involves aforward end or tip 40 which faces forward and somewhat downward a shortdistance behind the lifter bar and at an elevation slightly above thelifter bar but below the elevation of the top of the mound M formed bythe lifter bar. The tips of the several fingers are preferably spaced ashort distance rearward of the lifter bar so that they occur just behindthe mound M, as shown in Fig. 4.

Each finger has a main or shank portion 4| which is curved andpreferably disposed concentric with the propeller about to be described.The curved shanks of the fingers extend upwardly and rearwardly to thedesired elevation. Where a device such as the conveyor I5 is employedthe shanks extend up to a point well above the conveyor so that the nutsor other objects can be discharged from the upper ends or shanks to fallonto the conveyor.

In the preferred construction each finger has a rear end portion in theform of a guide 42 which extends rearward and downward from the upperend of the shank to facilitate in guiding the nuts onto the conveyor l5.

In practice the several fingers just described are spaced apartdistances less than the diameters of the objects to be handled by theapparatus and being spaced they will clear or spill finely divided soilor other small objects that might otherwise be elevated by themechanism.

The finger means further includes a frame member 44 which supports theseveral fingers. This frame member is preferably arranged to support thefingers from their lower or tip end portions. In the case illustratedthe frame 44 is in the form of a horizontally disposed plate and theforward or tip and portions of the several fingers are secured to thismember as by welding, or the like. By effectively securing the forwardend portions of the fingers to the frame 44 it is unnecessary tootherwise support the other parts of the fingers.

The propeller l4 in its preferred form involves a round open or skeletonframe that I will term a drum 5D and which is rotatably supported bymeans of a shaft 5| on an axis located a suitable distance above thelifter bar l2. A plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs or fin-likemembers 52 project from the exterior of the drum 50 "and terminate sothat they will clear the top of the mound M by a substantial amount, sothat they will in no way interfere with the dirt or soil of the mound.

A plurality of spaced fingers 53 project radially from the ribs 52. Thefingers are sumciently long to extend into the top portion of the moundso that they pass through or comb the soil forming the top of the mound.The fingers are further spaced apar t'to correspond to the "spacing ofthe fingers it so that they can 'be operated to pass between the tips 40and shanks ll of the fingers Hi. In the preferred arrangement the shanksof the fingers i3 are curved concentric with the drum 60 and the fingers53 on the ribs of the drum are proportioned to just overlap or mesh intothe fingers I3 so that objects such as nuts N may be moved by thefingers 53 onto the fingers I 3 and as the fingers 53 advance they willpush the objects or nuts N along the fingers it until they spill fromthe upper ends of the shanks i I- onto the conveyor i5.

It is to be understood, of course, that the drum 50 is rotated in thedirecgon indicated by the arrow Y in Fig. 4. In the preferred form ofthe invention the shaft 5|,- which carries the drum 50, is adjustablysupported by legs 55 depending from the forward portions of the rails22'so that the vertical position of the drum 50 relative to the lifterbar i 2 and fingers Hi can be varied to give the mechanism the desiredaction.

In the preferred form of the invention I provide means ill foradjustably supporting the frame 44 of finger means I3. In a simple formthe means l9 may involve mounting flanges it depending from the ends ofthe frame member 44 and bolts 1! may be provided for securing thefianges to the arms 24 of the frame. By providing a plurality of boltholes in various positions, either in the flanges or in the I be able toarrange the frame 44 in various positions relative to the lifting barand drum 50. By suitably arranging the holes I am able to adjust themeans l3 both vertically and horizontally.

The drive 20 for the propeller it may be any suitable driving oroperating mechanism. For instance, as shown in the drawings it mayinvolve a chain drive 60 connecting the shaft 36 of roller 82 with theshaft 5| of the drum 5!). In practice I may provide means for removinglight material such as leaves so they will not interfere with the actionof the machine. I show a blower I00 driven by the engine of the tractorand a conduit IM from the blower delivers air to a nozzle or series ofnozzles I02 which are arranged so leaves, or the like, are blown awayahead of the pick-up.

It is to be understood that when I use the term "elevate or refer toobjects being "elevated" I mean to include, generally, means for guidingor directing the objects in the desired manner and in some instancesthere may vertical movement of the objects, but rather they may bereceived at about the level at which they are lifted by the lifter.Further, when I refer to a propeller having fingers I mean to includeany similar structure such as a brush and if a brush is used I do notneed to fingers, but may use a plate-like structure instead.

be little or no actual use spaced elevating 1 particular adaptation ofthe present invention arms 24, or both, I may From the foregoingdescription it will be apparent that I have provided a mechanism foreffectively lifting objects such as nuts N from the ground so that theyare deposited at a suitable point above the surface of the ground. Itwill be apparent that any suitable means may be provided for catching,storing, or handling the nuts once they have been picked up or elevated.In the particular case illustrated I have shown a longitudinal conveyorl6 arranged to receive the nuts from the belt conveyor i5 and to conveythem rearwardly for deposit in the body III of the carrier 0. It is, ofcourse, to be understood that suitable drive means maybe provided foroperating the belt conveyors l5 and I6, and that in any conveyors. orthe like, may be provided or combined to move the objects that have beenpicked up to any desired point.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

.1. In a mobile machine of the character described, a rotating rodarranged transversely of the path of the machine and to operate in theground, and means acting to engage and carry away objects elevated bythe action. of the rod including spaced elevating finger-s.

2. In a mobile machine of the character described, a rotating rodarranged transversely of the path of the machine and to operate in theground, and means acting to engage and carry away objects after they areelevated by the action of the rod including a, propeller arranged toengage and move the objects.

3. In a mobile machine of the character described, a rotating rodarranged transversely of the path of the machine and to operate in theground, and means acting to engage and carry away objects elevated bythe action of the rod including spaced elevating fingers and a propellerfor moving objects along the fingers.

4. In a mobile machine of the character (1*- scribed, a rotating rodarranged transversely of the path of the machine and to operate in theground, and means acting to engage and carry away objects after they areelevated by the action of the rod including a revolvingpropeller'coetxensive with the rod and arranged to engage and move theobjects.

5. In a mobile machine of the character described, a rotating rodarranged transversely of the path of the machine and to operate in theground, and means acting to engage and carry away objects elevated bythe action of the rod including spaced curved elevating fingers ex-'tending upwardly and rearwardly from the vicinity of the rod.

6. In a mobile machine of the characterdescribed, a, rotating rod.arranged transversely of the path of the machine and to operate in theground, means acting to engage and carry away objects elevated by theaction of the rod including spaced elevating fingers and a propeller formoving objects along the fingers, a transverse frame carrying thefingers and means supporting the frame for to the rod.

7. In a mobile machine of the character described, a rotating rodarranged transversely of the path of the machine and to operate in theground, means acting to engage and carry away objects elevated by theaction of the rod including spaced elevating fingers and a revolvingpropeller coextensive with the rod for moving objects along the fingers,a shaft carrying the propeller and means supporting the shaft foradjusting the propeller relative to the rod.

8. Ina mobile machine of the character described, a rotating rodarranged transversely of the path of the machine and to operate in theground, means acting to engage-and carry away objects elevated by theaction of the rod including spaced elevating fingers and a pro pellerfor moving objects along the fingers, and

adjustment relative coextensive with the rod drive means for the rod andpropeller whereby they are operated in opposite directions.

9. In a machine oi the character described, a frame, a revolving groundengaging supporting member adjustably connected with the frame, a rotaryrod carried by the frame transverse of the path of the machine andmanagement with the ground, a. revolving propeller and operable toengage and move objects after they are raised by the rod, and drivemeans operating the rod and propeller from said member.

10. In a machine of the character described. a frame. a. revolvingground engaging supporting member adjustably connected with the frame.aired rotatably carried by the frame transverse of the path of themachine and located below the surface of the ground, a revolvingpropeller transverse of the path of the machine and coextensive with therod and operable to engage and move obiects raised. by the rod. spaceddownwardly and forwardly extending fingers cooperating with thepropeller to elevate objects moved by the propeller, and drive meansoperating the rod and propeller simultaneously in opposite directions.

MARSTON H. KIMBALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent: V

UNITE) STATES PATFN'IS Walz Sept. 3, 1946

